So Skyrim has been out for almost 3 years now. I'm sure by now you have come up with some strategies when fighting stronger NPCs. This thread is to share your strategies with other players, and possibly exchange some ideas that others probably haven't thought of.

Here are my strategies. Keep in mind these are my strategies for fighting in overwhelming circumstances. Normally I kill my enemies just by blasting, slashing or shooting them until their health drops to 0%.

Shoot 'n Scoot (for enemies too powerful to fight directly):
- Remain in Sneak Mode
- Shoot enemy with bow.
- Retreat to a safe distance as they check out the area they were shot.
- Wait until you are FULLY hidden and they go back to their patrol.
- Rinse and repeat.

King of the Hill (fighting animals/giants outdoors):
- Find something to stand on that the NPCs cannot get to themselves.
- Get out your bow or a destruction spell and blast them.
- When they run away to a safe distance, jump off of the object you're on and bait them to come back.
- When they get close enough, jump back on the object and blast them again.
- Rinse and repeat.
- NOTE: Sometimes they will get up on the object you're on. You need to be prepared for that.

Crowd Control (for multiple enemies):
- Cast Calm on every enemy.
- Since you're not in combat, wait for your Magicka to recharge to 100%
- Ht one of them with a spell or sword and immediately re-cast Calm.
- Switch between enemies after attacking the previous one until all are dead.
- Works on up to 4 enemies at a time. Well, that's my record so far.

Puppet Master (for powerful ranged enemies):
- Conjure your strongest creature(s) next to your enemy.
- Wait a safe distance away from the battle.
- After the creature(s) has died, re-summon immediately.
- NOTE: To intensify this strategy, have at least a follower and a dog when you go into battle.

Peek-a-boo! (When fighting Dragons or Dragon Priests):
- Find a tree, a large rock or an object to stand behind.
- Wait for the dragon to approach you via air or ground -or- after a Dragon Priest has fired a spell.
- With your bow drawn, fire one or two arrows.
- Hide behind object when Dragon or Dragon Priest tries to blast you.
- Rinse and repeat.

I use King of the Hill when I'm triple-grinding (building up my Armor, Block, and Restoration skills), usually with giants or trolls. My magicka gets low, so I find some high ground and let it build back up.

Paralyze poison/spell/enchantment, and then hack away!

Obivously won't work on Centurions, but Dwarven ruins often have deadly, constant, traps, and/or Falmer.

And dragons. It's a good thing they can't enter caves, or Inns.

One useful trick with powerful enemies is to lead one to the other and let them pound away at each other. Then, you're free to finish the winner.

my strategy changes based on what I am up against or what type of character I am playing.

My hunter type character who employ a great deal of archery and stealth will clear patrolling enemies first. Then thin the crowd out and leave the boss for last. Who usually by now is saying something to the effect "Must have been my imagination" while his whole crew is lying dead at his feet with arrows sticking out of them. For dragons unless I am caught by surprise, I usually hit them from a distance with an arrow while crouched to x3 the damage. Most dragons put up hardly a fight after that.

I'll usually focus on archers and mages in the group. When facing necromancers I wait and watch, looking to see who appears to be the master of the thralls. I'll kill that person first.

If playing a melee character I go for those that are trying to distance themselves from me. Archers and mages die first and then I'll focus on who ever is left over. With dragons I take shelter and wait for it to land.

My favorite play style's are battlemage or spellsword. Depending on which one or the exact skill's they have they will:

* summon up a buddy, which kind depends on what is needed. ( flame for distance, frost or storm for a close in tank) Then either use ranged spell's or run in with a melee weapon.

* cast runes if in a building of some sort ( taking care that a companion isn't going to run onto the rune)

* use an offensive spell and dash far enough away to caste a healing spell when needed.

* Often play ring around a boulder, ruin or other large object.

* Use calm, fear or frenzy to null enemies